Our holiday started when Charlie arrived from Washington D.C. on December 22.  He was tired because he'd had a two day run-around with the airlines.  I'm certain U S Airways will not be on his favorites list from now on.  Instead he was able to fly Southwest a day later than planned but without Arden, our grand dog.  We were all disappointed she couldn't be here but glad Charlie made it after four tries.

Charlie was still on Eastern time so he was up early Tuesday morning and he and I went to the fitness center.  He was doing weight training and machines and I did a Total Body class.  I left class a few minutes early because Don had a follow up appointment with his surgeon.  He received the okay to drive the car, 2 more weeks till he can play golf and keep the lifting of objects to a minimum.  It's funny how the pain subsided a few days before the doctor's appointment.  They must know the timeline on that.

Dennis arrived on Christmas Eve morning or as that day is known in my family-- Mariamas Day--my birthday.  I was already cooking for our family meal that afternoon when Gary, Diane, Sophie and Ben would be arriving to celebrate reaching one of my goals--to turn 65 and be on Medicare.  So far it's been great although I haven't tested the Medicare yet.  One of my best friends is turning 70 and that's my new goal.

The grand kids were confused about the presents and were surprised that Grandma was opening all the presents this time and they had to wait for Santa to make his rounds.  They did enjoy the cake and Sophie led the Happy Birthday song.  There were no candles on the cake because we didn't want to start a house fire.

Today is Christmas Day and we're going to Gary and Diane's house for Christmas brunch.  They'll follow that with a well deserved long nap as soon as Don, Dennis, Charlie, Beau and I go back home and to have our Christmas Dinner.

This will be an extended visit with both our out of state sons.  Dennis will be here for a week and Charlie for 2 weeks.  I'm sure we'll make every minute count.

I hope your holidays are filled with the warmth and love of family.

My Birthday Party Hosted by Wendy

Our group was missing two of our buddies. Catherine was back in Ireland and Mary was unable to attend because of a prior commitment. Both sent their best wishes and gifts with one of the other buddies.

We broke bread together and shared a lot of information and since we all have a different specialty that's very helpful. Also there were a lot of presents going back and forth. It's amazing how well my Fitness Buddies know what I need. I received a 'crop A dile' from Pat and that was just what I needed for my card making. I'll be using my gift certificates at Trader Joe's to keep those healthy foods in our house. The buddies know how much I enjoy cooking and there was a gift certificate for Williams Sonoma. There's lots more but I think you get the idea.

Wendy made all my favorites: lentil soup, bread, veggies and had a luscious apple dessert that I couldn't eat (cancer loves sugar). I turned 65 and I'm so proud of that accomplishment. There are a lot of people who helped me get here including the friends and family who read my blog.

D-Day for Don

Today Don had his hernia surgery. We arrived at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. and his surgery started at 11:30 a.m. He must have been in the recovery room for a long time, probably trying to finish that dream where 10 Viking maidens cater to his every whim, because his doctor came out to talk to me 45 minutes after the surgery started and Don didn't leave the recovery room till nearly 2 p.m. Once he was settled in post recovery the nurse brought me to sit with him. They were monitoring his vital signs and giving him liquids.

By the time we left the hospital we had been there 5 hours--easy for me, but more taxing for him. I sat in a chair for 5 hours and realized how much I missed my exercise classes all this week. I was chilled all day long and time dragged. Don was great getting in and out of the car and has been icing the area since we arrived home.

His first request was for a McDonald's Big Mac since he hadn't eaten anything since supper last night. The nurse shook his head at his request, but he talked about it all the way home. Instead he had toast, soup and ice cream.

He'll see the doctor in 3 weeks and has already been told he can't lift anything more than 15 lbs nor play golf for 4 weeks. How will he survive that? I hope there are a lot of great old movies on television. I don't know if he'll feel as well tomorrow, but we did get his pain pill prescription filled just in case.

You've Been Very Patient

It's been quite a while since I posted on the blog mostly because there was nothing going on. My next appointments with the Oncologist and Radiation doctors is in January.   I'm basically doing my exercise classes every day, Mah Jongg once a week, golf once or twice a week, and the rest of the time getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.   

Charlie, his dog Arden, and Dennis arrived in Phoenix on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Charlie and Beau came over to have dinner with us and Don left after dinner to pick up Dennis at the airport.  It was fun to have all the guys and my grand dog staying with us.

Thanksgiving morning I made Dennis' favorite stuffing, stuffed the bird and put it in the oven by 7 a.m.  The houseguests didn't wake up early this being a vacation day for them, but by the time they did I had made crepes, Belgian waffles, bacon and sausage.

Terry Ann and John, now from Tucson, arrived a few hours later and we were able to catch up with them.  Terry Ann and I lived across the street from each from the time I was 10.  I spent as much time at her house as she spent at mine.  Gary, Diane, Sophie and Ben arrived a little while later and soon we were eating.  The cooking lasted 3 days, the eating lasted 25 minutes. Somehow that seems out of synch.  Of course there are leftovers in the freezer and we'll be eating them soon.  It was one of the best Thanksgivings ever because we had so much to be thankful for.

Terry Ann and John had a long ride back to Tucson so they were the first to leave.  Next to go were Charlie, Beau, and our grand dog, Arden, for Phoenix.   

Dennis slept in Friday morning for a change and he and I went to lunch with half of the Fitness Buddies.  We had great laughs and good food at the restaurant in Corte Bella.  I had purchased a perfect picture wall this summer and Dennis helped me hang all the frames.  With his height he was the perfect person to hold up the perfect picture wall template.  It is the perfect thing for our office wall.

Dennis always volunteers to go to exercise classes with me and on Saturday we had two hours of classes.  He knows everyone there and they're always glad to see him.  Later we played golf with Don.  The following morning Dennis left on a 6 a.m. flight.  The weekend whizzed by like a rocket.

Don, Gary, Sophie, Ben and I picked up Charlie in Phoenix for lunch on Sunday and had a last visit with him before he left on Monday.

Now we're in Christmas mode:  trimming the tree, hanging the wreaths and putting the Christmas candles throughout the house.